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William M. Feagans, dean of the School of Dental Medicine from 1970-92, died April 5 in his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., after a long illness. He was 82.
A native of Fortescue, Mo., Feagans received his D.D.S. in 1954 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, graduating with honors.
After teaching and practicing for two years, he earned a Ph.D. in anatomy from the Medical College of Virginia, now Virginia Commonwealth University. He taught anatomy at the Medical College of Virginia until 1966, when he became assistant dean for curriculum and faculty affairs at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.
In 1970, Feagans was named dean of the UB School of Dental Medicine, where he served for 22 years—the longest term in the school’s history.
Among his accomplishments as dean were a major renovation of the main clinic in Farber Hall in 1973, which expanded the facility and installed 100 new operatories, and the reconstruction of Squire Hall and the renovation of Foster Hall during the early 1980s into a modern home for the dental school
He also oversaw the school’s centennial celebration, commissioning a history of the school, starting a centennial fund and commissioning the sculpture that today rises from the lobby to the third floor of Squire.
Feagans received many awards and honors during his career in dental education, among them the first endowed professorship in the history of the UB dental school named in his honor.
A memorial service will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. April 24 in 105 Harriman Hall, South Campus. A reception will follow in the lobby of Squire Hall, South Campus.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the William M. Feagans Endowed Professorship Fund at the UB Foundation, or Hospice of Palm Beach County.
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